If you’ve been arrested you need the very best criminal defense lawyer for your case to ensure you get the best outcome. It’s tempting to rush into working with whichever lawyer is available and willing to take on your case, so you can feel at ease knowing someone is working to protect you.
However, if you want to get the experienced counsel you’re looking for you should take the time to be selective and ensure you get a criminal defense lawyer you are comfortable with so you can get the very best outcome.
Here are 10 tips to help you choose the best lawyer for you and your case:
1.) Choose a Local Lawyer
If you’ve been arrested you need the very best criminal defense lawyer for your case to ensure you get the best outcome. It’s tempting to rush into working with whichever lawyer is available and willing to take on your case, so you can feel at ease knowing someone is working to protect you.
However, if you want to get the experienced counsel you’re looking for you should take the time to be selective and ensure you get a criminal defense lawyer you are comfortable with so you can get the very best outcome.
Here are 10 tips to help you choose the best lawyer for you and your case:
Combs Waterkotte has an outstanding reputation in the St. Louis legal community and has worked hundreds of criminal defense cases all across the St. Louis area. Our attorneys are in the perfect position for taking on St. Louis criminal defense cases.
The lawyer you choose must be licensed to practice in the state you’re being prosecuted in to represent you, but beyond the legalities, local lawyers have established relationships in the local criminal justice system.
2.) Look for Experience and Specialization
Many lawyers specialize in certain areas of criminal defense or have a lot of experience with cases just like yours. Wouldn’t you rather have an experienced lawyer than one who has never seen a case like yours? Of course, you would! So don’t just work with the first lawyer you find, look for a lawyer who can show you successful past cases in the area you are looking for.
Experienced lawyers will be able to anticipate what questions are likely to come up in the courtroom and any moves the persecutors may make against you. They will also have an in-depth knowledge of the state’s criminal statutes and will help you with a well thought out strategy.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have an impressive track record of successful cases and have built up a great reputation in the St. Louis Metro area and have extensive knowledge of Missouri criminal statutes. Any lawyer you consider should be able to say the same.
3.) Meet with Them In-Person
You will feel most comfortable with a criminal defense lawyer who you click with. While you don’t necessarily need to feel like you’d like to head to the bar for a drink with them, being able to feel comfortable with them and knowing that you understand each other easily will make your experience much less stressful. If you meet with a lawyer who you don’t connect with, don’t be afraid to look for someone else.
It often feels like if you don’t find a lawyer to protect you in the next few days your world will fall apart, but in most cases, you can take the time to find a lawyer you can see yourself working with for months or years until your case concludes.
We offer all our clients a free consultation to meet face to face to see if we are the right fit for one another.
4.) Choose a Law Firm Where You’ll Be Prioritized
Some lawyers at large law firms have a large caseload and may struggle to prioritize you. Before you choose a lawyer, ensure that you’ll be able to contact your criminal defense lawyer whenever you can.
All our clients have access to their lawyer 24/7, so should there be a sudden development in their case they can stay calm knowing their lawyer will be hot on their case in the very best way.
5.) Look at Testimonials and Reviews
When you have a list of potential criminal defense lawyers, read their testimonials and reviews. These testimonials and reviews will provide you with more information with how the lawyer works with their clients, what their past clients did and didn’t enjoy about working with them, and you may find endorsements that help you know whether a lawyer is or isn’t for you even before you meet them.
Our outstanding reputation as a St. Louis criminal defense attorney is well reflected in our reviews – in fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another with such good reviews (and we aren’t afraid to share our successes)! Our dedication to superior client satisfaction – and a long list of successful cases – has helped us amass more testimonials than we can count, and we’re grateful for all of our great clients. If you’d like to read our reviews, you can see our client feedback here.
6.) Ask Them About the Possible Outcomes
Any criminal defense lawyer you speak to should be willing and able to talk to you about the possible outcomes of your case. While you want them to be confident about your case, be very wary of any lawyer who says they can guarantee you a win.
The lawyers you speak to should be able to talk from experience about the realistic best- and worst-case scenarios and may have case studies and proof to show you. When you ask them about previous cases they’ve handled like yours, they should be at ease and happy to talk you through their cases. If they seem nervous or brisk, they may be trying to pull the wool over your eyes and likely won’t be able to help you at all in court.
7.) They Should Offer a Free Consultation
If a potential lawyer wants to charge you for your first meeting, steer clear. You want to find a criminal defense lawyer or firm who champions their clients and is ready to stand in their corner and fight for their liberty, career, and family life. If they aren’t willing to meet with you for your first consultation for free, they don’t have your best interests at heart, and it shows that they may not be committed fully to your case.
We offer a free consultation for all of our clients to discuss their case, possible outcomes, and take the time to answer any and all questions they may have.
8.) Discuss the Fees and Expenses
There are a huge number of benefits to paying for a private attorney, but you need to establish if the lawyers you are speaking to are within your budget. When you find someone you like, make sure you discuss potential fees as well as any fines you may have to pay as part of your punishment.
You should also discuss the payment schedule and any flexibility. Some lawyers require 50% of their fee upfront, while others will accept monthly payments, and others a mixture of the two. Don’t be afraid to bring up the subject of money during your first meeting.
You’ll want to pay for the very best lawyer you can find, but if you stretch yourself too far financially and can’t cover the payments halfway through your case, your lawyer may be reluctant – or be unable – to see it through. Discuss finances frankly so you can move ahead confidently.
9.) Ask Them About a Potential Strategy
Talk to potential lawyers about the strategy they may use in your case. Not every lawyer’s strategy will be right for you, and if you aren’t comfortable with their proposed strategy, there’s no sense moving forward. If you don’t understand why they are proposing their strategy, ask them to clarify the reasons behind it. It’s their job to make everything clear and understandable for you, so don’t be embarrassed if you don’t understand at first.
Ask potential lawyers if they believe there may be any chance of a plea deal so you can avoid going to trial. Going to trial is extremely stressful and you have to pay legal fees for the judge’s time. If there is any chance of a plea deal, discuss what this may entail and the punishment you may receive as a result of taking the deal.
10.) Discuss How to Move Forward
When you find someone you feel is a good fit for you, ask them how long they believe your case will take, how you will be charged over that time (as many cases can take months or even years to reach conclusion), and how often you can expect to hear from them.
Criminal defense lawyers manage several clients at once and your case may go for weeks or even months without progress as you wait for a response or a court date. Discuss how you’ll be kept in the loop and how often you can expect updates.
If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in St. Louis, Missouri, don’t hesitate to reach out to us about your case. All of our clients receive personal attention, and we are available 24 hours a day from the moment of your arrest to help you with your case. We have an incredibly strong success record and will work to get you the very best outcome. If you need someone to protect your liberty, livelihood, and family, call us at (314) 900-HELP or get in touch as soon as possible.
